If I Had Three Lives

If I had three lives, 

I'd marry you in two.

And the other? 

That life over there at Starbucks, 

sitting alone, writing -- a memoir,
maybe a novel or this poem. 

No kids, probably,
a small apartment with a view of the river,
and books -- lots of books and time to read.
Friends to laugh with; 

a man sometimes,
for a weekend, 

to remember what skin feels like when it's alive. 

 I'm thinner in that life, vegan, practice yoga. 

 I go to art films, farmers markets,
drink martinis in swingy skirts and big jewelry.
I vacation on the Maine coast 

and wear a flannel shirt
weekend guy left behind, 

loving the smell of sweat
and aftershave more than I do him. 

I walk the beach at sunrise, 

find perfect shell spirals

and study pockmarks water makes in sand. 

And I wonder sometimes if I'll ever find you.

---Sarah Russell

Poetry and prose

Sometimes I am caught
between poetry and prose, like two lovers
I can't decide between.

Prose says to me, let's build
something long and lasting.
Poetry takes me by the hand,
and whispers, come with me,
let's get lost for awhile.

--- Lang Leav